THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT ASHEVILLE

                         FACULTY SENATE 


                                 Senate Document Number  1692S 

                                 Date of Senate Approval 3/5/92


 
Signature of Senate Chair __________________________ Date________

Action of Vice Chancellor: 

   Approval _______________________________  Date________________ 
              
     Denied _______________________________  Date________________
      
Reasons for denial and suggested modifications: 









 
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Statement of Faculty Senate Action:   


    APC DOCUMENT #15:   "Changes in Early Examination Policy"


Effective Date:  1992-1993 Catalog and Academic Year


DELETE:   (on page 38) paragraphs 4, 5, and 6 under the heading
          Examinations and Early Evaluations. 

REPLACE with the following:

          Proficiency Examination.  Any currently enrolled student
     may fulfill the requirement for many courses, including
     general education requirements, by passing a proficiency
     examination.  Courses such as internships, theses, research
     seminars, field experiences, or any course which meets the
     departmental requirement of competency or is graded S/U are
     excluded from this option.
          The student fills out a proficiency examination form
     obtained from the registrar and makes arrangements with the
     department chair in which the course is taught to take an
     examination covering all material in the course.  Any student
     who is in academic good standing may request the approval of
     the appropriate department chair to take a proficiency
     examination.  Departments have the discretion to determine
     courses in which examination is appropriate.  Grading will be
     "Pass" or "Fail".  If passed the results will be noted on the
     student's transcript.  The minimum number of hours for a
     degree will not be reduced.  There is a $15 fee.


ADD:     to the beginning of paragraph 3 on page 38 the following:

          Major Competency.


Rationale:

          These changes eliminate the option available to students
     to demand an early final examination for any course being
     taught.  In addition to putting an extra burden on the faculty
     member with no risk for the student, it assumes that the final
     examination is the ultimate product toward which the course is
     preparation.  The usual final examination, however, is often
     only a small portion of the grade and is not necessarily an
     accurate indicator that the student should receive credit for
     the course.  In many cases a special extended examination
     would have to be prepared to incorporate material from other
     assignments.  Further, the current policy could be exploited
     by students seeking insight into what future assignments may
     be like.
          The changes also curtail the number of courses for which
     a student can demand a proficiency examination. The
     proficiency policy rests on the assumption that a body of
     knowledge, not intellectual development, is the primary
     purpose of UNCA's courses.  In a number of instances this is
     certainly true.  The courses which have a different purpose,
     however, should not be constrained by the policy on
     proficiency examinations.  These classes often do not have
     final examinations as part of their requirements and 
     proficiency exams are either not possible or appropriate and
     defeat the purpose of the course.
          The last paragraph clarifies responsibility for
     determining which classes should be exempt from the
     proficiency policy.